Tottenham Hotspur have expressed disappointment after Arsenal denied them the maximum allocation of tickets for the FA Cup meeting at the Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham will not be able to claim the maximum 15 percent ticket allocation at the Emirates Stadium.

Spurs will face their North London rivals in the third round of the competition on Jan. 4 and had hoped to secure 9,000 tickets for their fans -- the maximum 15 percent allocation permitted under competition rules.

However, Arsenal will grant the visitors only 5,186 tickets -- or 8.64 percent -- on the grounds of safety concerns, and Spurs have said they will only offer their rivals the same should the tie have to be replayed at White Hart Lane.

An article on the club’s official website read: “The club applied for the maximum allocation of 9,000 tickets (15 percent) for the forthcoming FA Cup third round tie at the Emirates Stadium.

Following lengthy conversations, Arsenal Football Club has advised us that, on safety and security grounds experienced at previous cup fixtures this season, they are only able to provide an allocation of 5,186 (8.64 percent).

“As the security issues cited related to safety in the upper tier, we subsequently requested an extended allocation in the lower tier. We have been informed that this is also not possible due to segregation and safety issues.

“We appreciate that this will mean that many of our supporters will not be able to attend this fixture, but unfortunately the host club has stated that it is impossible to increase the allocation offered to us for this fixture.

“In the event of a replay taking place at White Hart Lane, Arsenal will be provided with a reduced allocation equivalent to the percentage that we have received at the Emirates Stadium. “

Spurs fans will be charged 62 pounds for full price tickets and the article added: “Please note that, following a rule change, the pricing for FA Cup games is set exclusively by the home club.”